Comments on: Connecting Professors with Students in Undergraduate Research: One Student’s View from the Freshman Year

By: Full Time in a company – undergraduate research amplified by The Other Lobe of The Brain

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:34:09 +0000

[...] post is authenticity - as it has been in all of the others we have written before when Ashley first sought to be in a research laboratory and as she succeeded there in doing publishable scientific research. Authentic opportunities take [...]

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:58:56 +0000

Ashley- I agree. Undergraduate research or really any undergraduate work experience is invaluable in finding your true career path. Too many people are afraid of their own inexperience and do not take the first step to get into labs/jobs. I know that my undergraduate career was largely shaped by the 3 years I spent in an undergraduate neuroscience laboratoy– the things I learned in the lab have stayed with me much longer than things I learned in the classroom.

Mentoring is so key to a student’s success. If more professors would reach out to be mentors for the students, a large school such as NU would seem much more welcoming–a place where professors want the students to thrive. I know that I was unhappy at NU until I found my mentor. It is definitely a two-way road, however. Students need to show that they care enough so the mentor(s) feel as though they are spending their time wisely.

Good for you for realizing all of this as a freshman! Best of luck with your research and career goals.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:02:53 +0000

I think this was a great post! I too have experienced something like this during my time at Northeastern. For me, the inclusion of extra-curricular activities has significantly helped my time management skills and kept me on track, so to speak. I too approached a professor during my third year of college, timid and shy as ever. I had a lot of free time and decided to pursue some research. It was the single best move of my undergraduate career.

I think the main point that needs to be addressed is the lack of knowledge about such opportunities, or that such moves are not only permissible but encouraged. As a senior looking back on my college career, I realize how much I know today that I was completely unaware of a mere five years ago. A delicate dance must occur between students’ enthusiasm and motivation and the willingness of professors’ to seek out and establish student relationships. I know many students who don’t know half the opportunities that are available to them. It can be argued that the students who will benefit from such experiences will ultimately seek out these experiences, but that is not always the case and it should be an assumption.

I think the best way to encourage the experiences that you and I have had would be to do just this: talk about it, let it be known. Sharing knowledge is always key, and I feel that in this case it is the best method to encourage the professor-student mentorship.

By: Mercedes

Mercedes — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:17:23 +0000

Hi Ashley,
I complete agree with your view on this delicate equilibrium between students and professors. It is often hard, even after you have experience, to approach professors regarding volunteer research opportunities. Professors are sometimes viewed as residing in the top of an “ivory tower” and the students are lost below somewhere. Professors can certainly be intimidating with the various degrees following their name representing the years of schooling and experience.
Finally, I completely agree with the insecurities students have when approaching professors about research. I know I feel “fake” and that the professors will only think I want this for my resume. I assume the only way to really circumvent this problem is to address it head on and explain your intentions to the professor. Your last paragraph assures me that students will not stop trying to do research with professors because you are right, what is there to lose? Absolutely nothing.